Recommended Metro Top 50 Auckland Cafes for 2011

Metro Top 50 Auckland Cafes for 2011

The results are out for Metro Magazines pick of The top 50 cafes in Auckland for 2011. This year there have been 16 newly opened cafes, which went straight to the top 50 list!
We've compiled the list for you to browse, but make sure you get out there and try the exceptional services these winners have to offer!

It already has the upper hand of a great location that not every cafe would have on its side, but Takapuna Beach Cafe amps it up even more with food that even central Auckland city people would traipse over for.

Takapuna Beach Cafe & Store isn't only famous for its impeccable brunch and lunch food, but also for that exciting selections available in its shop section that does takeaways, pre-prepared gourmet food-to-go and what some claim to be the best gelato in Auckland. And if it isn't possible to love the Takapuna Beach Cafe & Store even more, they'd prepare a custom Gourmet Picnic Basket for you with advanced booking, in case you want to eat on the beach itself instead!

The Gallery café located on level 1 of Auckland Art Gallery offers quality food at a reasonable price. With a full selection of à la carte dishes, as well as a delicious range of hot and cold ready-to-go meals, salads and tempting treats, the café is a new destination to meet for lunch in the city.

Ben Cafe - serving their house Barista Empire blends and single origins since 2006 - is seated on Fort Street in the Auckland CBD and has an on-site roastery. Ben Espresso Cafe is kitted with a three group Synesso, a few Roburs, a few odd syphons and a host of Hario peripherals, amongst others.

Service is efficient, pleasant, never excessively chummy and the site is constantly busy and patronised by the people of Auckland - which always is a good sign!

Situated on Kohimarama Beach in Auckland, Café on Kohi has recently completed a $200K refurbishment. The result is a wonderfully relaxing venue on the beach for dining, coffee, or to enjoy a glass of wine at sunset.

The locals of Devonport, Auckland have been feverishly anticipating the opening of Calliope Road Cafe, particularly because this Devonport cafe is being opened by Jian and Tracy Yin of the former Ice It cafe on Church Street, Devonport that had received much love before mysteriously closing down early 2010. Calliope Road Cafe is expected to be a big hit in the North Shore of Auckland, with Jian and Tracy making a comeback with a new addition to their family, little Luke.

We’ll be at 1087 most of our day cooking and creating yummy things for ourselves and our customers. If you’re just wanting a takeaway coffee or need a special place to muse you’ll be made to feel welcome here at Cosset.

We’ve got all sorts of exciting things planned. We’re in a great location in an inspiring community we love and we’ll be doing our best to create a sustainable café where you can find friendly, fair-trade, organic fare.

Domain Ayr Cafe - rebranded from Kokako Cafe mid-2011 - in Parnell, Auckland roasts only Kokako Organic Coffees. The cafe formerly known as Kokako Cafe used to be known for its use of organic products in its amazing food (that includes vegan and gluten-free options) and organic rice, soya and cows milk for their coffees and continues to carry the tradition of providing ethically conscious grub to its patrons, even as Domain Ayr Cafe.

Fred's Cafe is a small retro café just off Ponsonby Rd at the top of Franklin Rd, Auckland. It’s an inconspicuous, relaxed space where almost everything inside the shop is actually for sale, and has a classic European style courtyard.

Besides delicious coffee, tea and an assortment of cakes, there’s also filled baguettes, muesli, soup and a small selection of tasty hot food. The famed chocolate lamingtons are served with lashings of jam and thick cream or you can go for the more dainty melting moments or Belgian biscuits. In classic Ponsonby fashion, this is a favourite with everybody.

Glengarry Victoria Park, or "Vic Park" as it is often referred to, is our flagship store in Auckland and is has just had a makeover of epic proportions. Located underneath Sale St Bar, this site offers conference and meeting facilities, a Fine Wine cellar, a Malt Corner, a great wall on Spirits, The Coffee Bar, a fill-your-own beer Growler station and a comprehensive selection of Champagne that's hard to beat. There is off street parking for customers at the Wellesley Street entrance and for those short on time, we've installed a drive-through service featuring a concise range right on hand for convenient shopping. Not far from the Victoria Park Market and motorway connections, this is an ideal stop for those working in downtown Auckland but heading onto the motorway after work.

The Kohu Road new cafe and creamery provides a haven for lovers of ice cream, fabulous food and coffee. With speciality and exclusive flavours of ice cream and sorbet available for complementary tastings, a viewing window into our production facility and tours available, the creamery offers a keen insight into the Kohu Road brand and the passionate people that create it. The Kohu Road Cafe & Creamery is already a favorite, with exquisite handmade lunch, cakes and nibbles, all prepared fresh every day in the open kitchen and their Fair Trade, organic coffee, made with care and dedication.

The community table hosts very large groups, and they do tours for all ages - it makes for a a special treat, but do remember that bookings are essential for big groups and tours.

At La Fourchette we offer the full French gastronomic experience throughout the day. From 8am our shop provides freshly baked pastries & breads, patisserie products from Ma Cherie and takeaway coffees.

Our café/restaurant offers a full a la carte menu. The modern menu is inspired by classic French recipes all made with quality produce.

Little Hero Cafe in Point Chevalier, Auckland prides themselves on creating an environment with character. They have comfy couches to lounge on, interesting art and a great atmosphere at the front. There is a magnificent kids area and playground out the back garden. Its got a sandpit, wendy hut, tunnel, a giant chalk wall and grass to run around on. Little Hero Cafe want to be the perfect place for parents to relax while the kids are busy playing.

Most of their food is made fresh right here in their kitchen and caters for everyone, including those with specialty diets. Little Hero Cafe has live music on Saturday afternoons, too. Come out to this part of Auckland and Little Hero Cafe will make the trip worth you while with a freshly baked seasonal cake or good organic coffee that you can settle down with in a quiet corner on the couch.

The Luscious Food Store is a new, child-friendly cafe on the Te Atatu Peninsular. With superb deli food, good coffee and an ambiant setting, The Luscious Food Store simply demands a trip to Te Atatu for a look.

Olaf's Artisan Bakery and Cafe is a newly opened artisan bakery situated right in the heart of the Mt Eden suburb of Auckland. Everything from the Olaf's Artisan Bakery and Cafe baguettes to Brazil nut danishes are baked on-site - and while you're thre grabbing a loaf of what they tout to be some of the best sourdough in Auckland, grab yourself a cuppa Supreme coffee to go as well!

Salvation Kitchen is a cafe and bakery opened by adman Aaron Carson and his baking extraordinaire wife, Fran that is located in Avondale, Auckland. We make all our products right here on the premises - brioche, calzone, empanands, real pizza, cup cakes, gateau, juices, salads, meringues, biscuits, biscotti and lots more. Salvation Kitchen serves fair trade organic coffee and really try hard to provide the best food possible at a fair price - all to a great soundtrack!

Do drop by and say hi to Aaron and Fran; Salvation Kitchen is able to cater for special events and also produces high quality individually hand crafted cakes for special occasions.

We at Teed Street Larder have a passion for quality products and our vision is to create an outstanding, destination café experience in Newmarket that specialises in offering an upmarket yet unpretentious menu and delicious homemade baking accompanied by excellent beverages and friendly and knowledgeable service.

Theatre is brand new to K'Road and is housed in the iconic Norman Ng building. Offering exceptional food and Millers Coffee, Theatre should be your next port of call the next time you find yourself along K'Road.

Although new, Wai Kitchen is already setting the Waiheke dining scene alight. With a huge array of great counter food on offer, some of the best views in town and servie with a smile, Wai Kitchen is easily one of the best cafes in Waiheke Island.